Land Purchase Raises Tax Concerns For Counties
Wyoming is looking to buy over a million acres of land across the southern part of the state. The deal hopes to diversify the state's investments, open previously inaccessible lands, and bring in new revenue for communities. But counties that HOLD the land wonder what downsides could come along side those positives. Wyoming Public Radio's Cooper McKim reports.
Wyoming Education Requirements Could Be Overhauled
The Wyoming Legislature will be undertaking what is called a recalibration of its school funding system. It's a process where lawmakers look at what they require of educators and if they are paying enough for education. But for the first time since it was developed, the committee will study what is in Wyoming's basket of goods. Those are the skills and content areas students are required to learn such as math and science. Wyoming Public Radio's Bob Beck reports that while some are excited about possible tweaks others are wary.
Stagnant Wages And A Rising Cost Of Living Make Things Difficult For Wyoming Families
The 2020 Self-Sufficiency Standard for Wyoming recently came out. It's a study that takes into account all kinds of factors for working families, like how many adults are in your household, the number of children, or which county you live in. And then it works like a calculator to determine the amount of income required to meet basic needs at a minimally adequate level. The idea is to provide this information to all kinds of decision makers, from lawmakers to non-profits, to businesses that want to set up shop in the state, and need to know just how much to pay their workers. Wyoming Public Radio's Maggie Mullen sat down with Rebekah Smith and Alex Shannon from the Wyoming Women's Foundation to talk about the findings.
Why A Growing Number Of Young LDS Church Members Can't Square Their Faith With Trump's GOP
Utah may be considered a ruby red state, but more than a quarter of Utahns actually vote blue. And of those Democratic voters, a small but growing number are young mormons. The Mountain West New Bureau's Nate Hegyi explains.
Powell Economic Partnership Director Resigns; Sees Good Things In Future For Powell
The director of the Powell economic partnership is stepping down after six years at the helm. Christine Bekes [bek-ish] was the first full time director of the economic partnership and oversaw Powell's growing presence in the state. Wyoming Public Radio's Kamila Kudelska sat down with Bekes to reflect on her time in the position. Bekes said having a community development strategic plan completed just before she started made her understand what the community valued right from the beginning.
How One Wyoming City Is Combating The Winter Tourism Drop-Off
Winter in Wyoming typically means a slowdown of visitors and tourism. But with the pressure of the state's dropping revenue, some communities are looking for ways to stabilize. Wyoming Public Radio's Catherine Wheeler reports that one city realized how a new winter event isn't only fun but helps to boost the economy.
Tour Around Wyoming Gets People Thinking About Climate Solutions
The holy grail in the fight to stop climate change is reaching a bipartisan solution. To reach that end, the group Citizen Climate Lobby sent their regional director Bill Barron around Wyoming this month to engage in community conversation. At his stop in Laramie, Wyoming Public Radio's Melodie Edwards sat down with Barron to hear about the proposal his organization says is already drawing consensus from all sides.
Visual Artist Robert Martinez Joins "A Handful" Of Natives Honored With The Governor's Arts Award
Members of Wyoming's arts community gathered last Friday to honor the 5 recipients of the Governor's Arts Awards -- one of those honorees was visual artist Robert Martinez. Wyoming Public Radio's Savannah Maher sat down with him this week to talk about his work and what the award means to him.
Wyoming Artist Finds Beauty In Death In New Show
A pinedale artist has a new show on display that was inspired by… roadkill. Cristy Anspach has spent the last two and a half years making ceramic jars to honor each animal killed on her route between Boulder and Pinedale. Over the course of eight months she made 110 jars. Anspach talked to Wyoming Public Radio's Megan Feighery.
